Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Fresh and Dried Natural Dyes

Abstract

Different natural dye extracts have been prepared and used as sensitizers in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These dyes have been extracted from both fresh and dried raw materials. The absorption spectra of these dyes have been investigated by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. DSSCs were assembled using TiO2 and ZnO nanostruc-tured, mesoporous films. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current density Jsc, open circuit voltage Voc, fill fac-tor FF, and overall conversion efficiency η for the fabricated cells were determined under 100 mW/cm2 illumination. The immersion time of the nanocrystalline-TiO2 electrode in spinach extract and the temperature at which this process occurs were optimized. The optimal dying temperature is found to be 60 °C and the efficiency of the DSSC is found to saturate to 0.29% after 12 hr of soaking in the dye solution.